As England opens its 2026 World Cup campaign, the Three Lions will sing “God Save the King” — and a lot of fans don’t realize England doesn’t actually have its own separate anthem. Here’s the story (plus that recent “Queen”-to-“King” switch).
| Anthem | God Save the King |
| In Use Since | c. 1745 |
| Composer | Unknown |
| Changed to “King” | 2022 |
| Language | English |
England’s Anthem Is the UK’s Anthem
Unlike Scotland or Wales, England has no distinct official national anthem, so its football team uses the United Kingdom’s anthem, “God Save the King.” (In other sports like cricket and the Commonwealth Games, England sometimes uses “Jerusalem” instead — but football sticks with the royal anthem.)
“King,” Not “Queen”
For 70 years fans sang “God Save the Queen.” After the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022 and the accession of King Charles III, the words reverted to “God Save the King” — the version England will sing throughout the 2026 World Cup.
One of the World’s Oldest Anthems
“God Save the King” has been sung since around 1745, has no single known composer, and its tune has been borrowed by countless other countries over the centuries. More on Wikipedia.
More World Cup 2026 Anthems & Music
More World Cup 2026 national anthems: Mexico · USA · Canada · Brazil. See also our history of every World Cup anthem (1962–2026) and who sings the official World Cup 2026 song.
England’s Wait Goes On
England arrive carrying the weight of expectation that follows them everywhere. After agonizing near-misses in recent tournaments, the Three Lions will hope 2026 is finally their year, and it all begins with “God Save the King.”
Here’s the fun part: the official anthem is just the warm-up. Moments later the away end will launch into ‘Three Lions (It’s Coming Home)’ and ‘Sweet Caroline,’ the two songs that really soundtrack an England campaign.
England’s relationship with anthems is famously complicated. Some fans argue the team should adopt “Jerusalem” or “Land of Hope and Glory” like other home nations use their own songs — but for now “God Save the King” remains the matchday choice.
The pressure never eases, either. Since their lone 1966 triumph, England have endured decades of near-misses, including a World Cup semifinal in 2018 and back-to-back European Championship final defeats. The anthem always sounds like hope and history fighting it out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is England’s national anthem at the World Cup?
England uses “God Save the King,” the national anthem of the United Kingdom.
Does England have its own anthem?
Not officially — England’s football team uses the UK anthem, though ‘Jerusalem’ is used in some other sports.
Why did it change from Queen to King?
Following Queen Elizabeth II’s death in 2022 and King Charles III’s accession, the lyrics changed from ‘Queen’ to ‘King.’
How old is God Save the King?
It has been performed since around 1745, making it one of the oldest national anthems in the world.